Content delivery via hybrid mobile network/broadcast network infrastructure

ABSTRACT

A system includes a hybrid mobile network/television antenna and a routing device connected to the antenna. The hybrid mobile network/television antenna receives content via a broadcast television network and receives content via a mobile network. The routing device includes a first communication interface that connects to the hybrid mobile network/television antenna, and a second communication interface that connects to a user device and receives a request for content from the user device. The routing device selects a network from the broadcast television network or the mobile network. The first communication interface receives the requested content via the selected network, and the routing device forwards the requested content to the user device via the second communication interface.

BACKGROUND

Next Generation wireless systems are expected to operate in the higherfrequency ranges, and the transceivers of such systems are expected totransmit and receive in the GigaHertz (GHz) band, alternatively known asthe millimeter wave (mmWave) spectrum, and to transmit and receive witha broad bandwidth near 500-1000 MegaHertz (MHz). The expected bandwidthof Next Generation wireless systems is intended to support downloadspeeds of up to about 35-50 Gigabits per second (Gb/s). Next Generationwireless systems, such as 5G systems, are expected to enable a highercapacity than current wireless systems, permitting a greater density ofwireless users, with a lower latency.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates an overview of an exemplary network environment inwhich content may be selectively delivered via a hybrid mobilenetwork/broadcast network infrastructure;

FIG. 1B illustrates an exemplary implementation of the networkenvironment depicted in FIG. 1A in which the network service subscriberlocation does not include a connection to the wired network;

FIG. 1C depicts an example of control of the routing of contenttransported from content sources to destination user devices via themobile network, the broadcast network, and/or the wired network of FIG.1A;

FIG. 2 is a diagram that depicts exemplary components of a device thatmay correspond to the management system, hybrid antenna, router, mobiledevice, set-top box and/or computer of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 3A depicts an antenna array that includes a two-dimensional arrayof antenna elements;

FIG. 3B further depicts examples of beam forming to create antenna beampatterns in three dimensions in the vicinity of the antenna array ofFIG. 3A;

FIGS. 4A and 4B depict an outdoor antenna system that includes abroadcast antenna and a mobile network antenna array;

FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary indoor antenna system that includesbroadcast antennas and a mobile network antenna array;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram that illustrates an exemplary process foroptimizing content transport patterns to and from a network servicesubscriber location via multiple different available transport networks,such as via the mobile network, the broadcast network and/or the wirednetwork of FIG. 1A;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are flow diagrams that illustrate an exemplary processfor selecting a content transport network, among multiple contenttransport networks, and for causing live content to be accessed via aselected content transport network for forwarding, by the router, to adestination user device;

FIG. 8 depicts an example of the routing of content from the router to adestination user device via a mobile network connection and the hybridmobile network/broadcast antenna of FIG. 1A; and

FIGS. 9A and 9B are flow diagrams that illustrate an exemplary processfor selecting a content transport network, among multiple contenttransport networks, and for causing, at the router, on-demand content tobe switched to the selected content transport network for transportationand for forwarding, by the router, to a destination user device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings.The same reference numbers in different drawings may identify the sameor similar elements. The following detailed description does not limitthe invention, which is defined by the claims.

To satisfy the improved capacity requirements of advanced wirelesssystems, such as 5G wireless systems, a greatly increased number ofantennas, relative to current systems, such as 4G systems, will need tobe deployed to support high bandwidth connections to each wirelessdevice. In current wireless systems, such as 4G systems, the typicaldistance between adjacent antennas is about 5,000-10,000 feet (1-2miles). In contrast, for proposed next generation wireless systems, suchas 5G systems, the distance between adjacent antennas may need to bereduced to about 1,000-1,500 feet. Therefore, next generation wirelesssystems may need as many as one hundred times the number of antennas ascompared to current wireless systems. However, since future networks or5G use the mmWave spectrum, more antenna elements may be placed withinan antenna array to increase throughput. One example of a 5G antenna isa waveguide planar antenna which includes a thin structure having anarray of numerous antenna elements for transmitting and receiving radiofrequency (RF) signals in the mmWave spectrum.

Exemplary embodiments described herein use a hybrid antenna, whichincludes a mobile network antenna attached to a general broadcastantenna, such as a television antenna, for selectively receiving contenttransported over a mobile network or a broadcast network, such as atelevision network. The hybrid antenna may be an indoor antenna system,or an outdoor antenna system, located at a home residence (or otherlocation) that receives broadcast content (e.g., television content) andwhich also has an antenna array, capable of operating in the mmWavespectrum, that transmits and receives content over mobile networkchannels to communicate via a mobile network or with mobile devices inthe vicinity of the hybrid antenna system. A router or other networkdevice located at the home residence connects to the hybrid antenna andmay selectively request content for transport via the mobile network andthe mobile network antenna of the hybrid antenna or via the broadcastnetwork and the broadcast antenna. Selection of a content transportnetwork by the router may, in one implementation, be based oninstructions received from a management system that monitors performanceparameters and/or demand of the various networks, and which determinesan optimized content transport distribution among the various networks.Content transported to the router may be re-routed via an alternatenetwork based on the instructions received from the management system,or based on conditions experienced locally at the router.

FIG. 1A illustrates an overview of an exemplary network environment 100in which content may be selectively delivered via a hybrid mobilenetwork/broadcast network infrastructure. As shown, network environment100 includes a management system 105, multiple content sources 110-1through 110-n (referred to herein as “content source 110” or “contentsources 110”), a content network(s) 115, a mobile network 120, abroadcast network 125, a wired network 130, and a network servicesubscriber location 135. As further shown, network service subscriberlocation 135 may include a router/Wi-Fi device 140, a hybrid mobilenetwork/TV antenna 145, one or more mobile devices 150-1 through 150-x,a set-top box (STB) 155, and a computer 160. One or more “users” (notshown in FIG. 1A) may be associated with each mobile device 150, STB155, and computer 160. Each “user” may be an owner, operator, and/or apermanent or temporary user of the mobile device 150, STB 155 and/orcomputer 160. In the implementation depicted in FIG. 1A, router/Wi-Fidevice 140 at network service subscriber location 135 also connects towired network 130, in addition to having connections to mobile network120 and broadcast network 125 via hybrid mobile network/broadcastantenna 145.

Management system 105 includes one or more network devices that monitor,and adjust, the distribution of content transported between the variouscontent transport networks (e.g., mobile network 120, broadcast network125, wired network 130). Based on the monitoring of the contenttransported over the various content transport networks, managementsystem 105 may change the distribution of the content transported amongthe content transport networks. For example, if monitoring of thecontent transport from content sources 110 through mobile network 120indicates a degradation in network performance (e.g., excessive use ofbandwidth, high latency), then management system 105 may cause at leasta portion of the content from the content sources 110 to be routedthrough an alternative network, such as, for example, through broadcastnetwork 125 and/or wired network 130.

Content sources 110 each include one or more network devices thattransmit content, via content network(s) 115 and mobile network 120,broadcast network 125, or wired network 130, to a requesting userdevice, such as, for example, to mobile devices 150, STB 155, and/orcomputer 160.

Content network(s) 115 includes one or more networks that transportmessaging to content sources 110 (e.g., from user devices and/ormanagement system 105), and transport content from content sources 110to destination user devices, such as mobile devices 150, STB 155, andtablet 160 at network service subscriber location 135. Contentnetwork(s) 115 may include, for example, a telecommunications network(e.g., Public Switched Telephone Networks (PSTNs)), a wired and/orwireless local area network (LAN), a wired and/or wireless wide areanetwork (WAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), an intranet, or theInternet.

Mobile network 120 may include a public land mobile network (PLMN)(e.g., a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) 2000 PLMN, a Global Systemfor Mobile Communications (GSM) PLMN, a Long Term Evolution (LTE) PLMNand/or other type of PLMN), or a satellite mobile network.

Broadcast network 125 includes one or more networks that serve tobroadcast content via one or more radiofrequency (RF) channels.Broadcast network 125 may, in one implementation, include infrastructurefor broadcasting television (TV) content via, for example, Very HighFrequency (VHF) or Ultra High Frequency (UHF) RF channels. In oneimplementation, broadcast network 125 may include an Advanced TelevisionSystems Committee (ATSC) standards-based network (e.g., over the air(OTA) network).

Wired network 130 includes one or more networks that include wired oroptical fiber links for broadband transmission of data. In oneimplementation, wired network 130 may include a cable network thattransmits content via, for example, RF and coaxial cables. In anotherimplementation, wired networks 130 may include an optical fiber networkthat transmits content via optical fibers and optical wavelengths. Eachwired network 130 may be owned and operated by a single network serviceprovider. One example of wired network 130 is Verizon's Fiber OpticService (FiOS®) network that provides fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP)telecommunications service. Wired network 130 may, in someimplementations, include one or more channels (modulated or broadcastchannels) for delivering content and Electronic Program Guide (EPG) datato STB 155. In other embodiments, network 130 may include any type ofnetwork (e.g., cable television network) that delivers content (e.g.,television programming) to subscribers via any type of wired or wirelesstransmission medium. For example, network 130 may include a satellitetelevision network in which content is transmitted wirelessly, via RFsignals from one or more satellites, to receiving satellite dishes ateach location 135.

Router/Wi-Fi device 140 (herein referred to as “router 140”) includes arouting device, residing at a network service subscriber location 135(e.g., home, office, building, etc.), that routes content to destinationuser devices, such as mobile devices 150, STB 155, and/or computer 160,and which further routes content requests from user devices tomanagement system 105 and/or to content sources 110. Router 140 mayroute content received via, for example, mobile network 120, broadcastnetwork 125, or wired network 130. Router 140 may serve as, for example,a “home router” at a home network service subscriber location 135.Router 140 may further include functionality that enables device 140 toestablish a wireless local area network (LAN) with wireless user devices(e.g., mobile devices 150) residing at location 135. In oneimplementation, router 140 establishes the wireless LAN using the IEEE802.11 standard.

Hybrid mobile network/broadcast antenna 145 includes a broadcastantenna, such as a rooftop or in-house antenna system, that has beenmodified to additionally include a mobile network antenna array forsending data to, and receiving data from, mobile network 120, and forsending data to, and receiving data from, wireless user devices such as,for example, mobile devices 150. In an exemplary implementation, thebroadcast antenna may include one or more antennas, or antenna arrays,for receiving TV content broadcasted over, for example, VHF or UHF RFchannels, including TV content broadcasted via an OTA ATSCstandards-based network. The mobile network antenna array may, in oneimplementation, transmit and receive in the mmWave spectrum, such asthat proposed for 5G wireless systems. Hybrid mobile network/broadcastantenna 145 corresponds to outdoor antenna system 400 depicted in FIGS.4A and 4B below, and indoor antenna system 500 depicted in FIG. 5 below.Hybrid mobile network/broadcast antenna 145, therefore, may either be anoutdoor system and/or an indoor antenna system residing at location 135.Hybrid mobile network/broadcast antenna 145, as shown in FIG. 1A, mayconnect to router 140 via a wired or wireless connection (e.g., wired orwireless LAN connection), or may be integrated with router 140.

Mobile devices 150 each includes any type of computational device havingone or more wireless communication interfaces for communicating viamobile network 120, hybrid mobile network/broadcast antenna 145, awireless personal area network (PAN) (e.g., BLUETOOTH) established byrouter 140, or a wireless LAN (e.g., Wi-Fi) established by router 140.Mobile devices 150 may each include, for example, a cellularradiotelephone; a smart phone; a personal digital assistant (PDA); awearable computer; a desktop, laptop, palmtop or tablet computer; or amedia player. Mobile devices 150 may each include a mmWave communicationinterface, a Wi-Fi communication interface, and/or a wireless PANcommunication interface (e.g., BLUETOOTH).

STB 155 includes a device that enables a TV to receive and decode TVbroadcasts, and to serve as a user interface to the Internet. STB 155may, for example, receive content from content source(s) 110 via one ormore channels (e.g., Quadrature Amplitude Module (QAM) channels,Internet Protocol (IP) streams, etc.) over wired network 130. Thecontent may include, for example, text, images, audio, video contentand/or television (TV) video programs. Network 130 may, in someimplementations, include one or more QAM channels (or other types ofmodulated or broadcast channels) for delivering content and ElectronicProgram Guide (EPG) data to STB 155.

Computer 160 may include a desktop or laptop computer having a wiredconnection to router/Wi-Fi device 140. Computer 160 may, for example,connect to a wired LAN connection to router 140 at the network servicesubscriber location 135.

The configuration of the components/devices of network environment 100depicted in FIG. 1A is for illustrative purposes only, and otherconfigurations may be implemented. Therefore, network environment 100may include additional, fewer and/or different components, that may beconfigured differently, than depicted in FIG. 1A. For example, though asingle network service subscriber location 135 is shown in FIG. 1A,network environment 100 may include numerous different network servicelocations 135, with each location 135 having its own router 140, hybridmobile network/broadcast antenna 145, mobile devices 150, STB 155,and/or computer 160. Additionally, though a single computer 160 isdepicted as residing at network service subscriber location 135,multiple different computers 160 may connect to router 140 at location135 via wired connections.

FIG. 1B illustrates an exemplary implementation of the networkenvironment 100 in which network service subscriber location 135 doesnot include a connection to wired network 130 or other wired or opticalbroadband connection. In this implementation, the users at location 135have not subscribed to the particular network service offered by thenetwork service provider administering wired network 130. For example,the user or owner of the residence/business at location 135 does notsubscribe to FiOS® by Verizon (or other cable network provider) and,therefore, only has network connections via mobile network 120 and/orbroadcast network 125 (or via other networks (not shown) other thanwired network 130). In the implementation depicted in FIG. 1B,management system 105 may control the distribution of content transportamong mobile network 120 and broadcast network 125, and not wirednetwork 130.

FIG. 1C depicts an example of control of the routing of contenttransported from content sources 110 to destination user devices viamobile network 120, broadcast network 125 and/or wired network 130. Asshown, at least one routing node may reside in each network, such asrouting node 170-1 in content network(s) 115, routing node 170-2 inmobile network 120, routing node 170-3 in broadcast network 125, androuting node 170-4 in wired network 130. Management system 105 may sendcontrol messaging to routing nodes 170-1, 170-2, 170-3 and/or 170-4 tocause the routing nodes 170 to route content transported from contentsources 110 to destination devices via either of mobile network 120,broadcast network 125 and/or wired network 130. For example, managementsystem 105 may, based on monitoring of performance parameters (e.g.,bandwidth usage, latency) of mobile network 120, broadcast network 125and/or wired network 130, optimize the distribution pattern of contenttransport among networks 120, 125 and/or 130. Additionally, managementsystem 105 may control the routing of content from a content source 110to a destination device based on device connection information receivedfrom the destination device, or from the router 140 to which thedestination device is locally connected. For example, if a Wi-Ficonnection between a router 140 and a mobile device 150 is lost, thenrouter 140 may notify management system 105, which may send controlmessaging to re-route the content transport via wired network 130 totransport via mobile network 120.

In the example depicted in FIG. 1C, management system 105 sends controlmessaging to cause routing node 170-1 to route content from contentsource 110-1 either via mobile network 120, broadcast network 125, orwired network 130. As shown, management system 105 may send controlmessaging to cause routing node 170-1 to route content from contentsource 110-1 to routing node 170-2 in mobile network 120 (shown with a“1” within a circle), which in turn routes the content through mobilenetwork 120 to a particular destination device (not shown).Alternatively, management system 105 may send control messaging to causerouting node 170-1 to route content from content source 110-1 to routingnode 170-3 in broadcast network 125 (shown with a “2” within a circle),which in turn routes the content through broadcast network 125 to aparticular destination device (not shown). As a further alternative,management system 105 may send control messaging to cause routing node170-1 to route content from content source 110-1 to routing node 170-3in wired network 130 (shown with a “3” within a circle), which in turnroutes the content through wired network 130 to a particular destinationdevice (not shown).

FIG. 2 is a diagram that depicts exemplary components of a device 200.Management system 105, content sources 110, routing nodes 170, router140, hybrid mobile network/broadcast antenna 145, mobile device 150, STB155, and computer 160 may each include the same, or similar, componentsto those of device 200 shown in FIG. 2. Device 200 may include a bus210, a processing unit 220, a main memory 230, a read only memory (ROM)240, a storage device 250, an input device 260, an output device 270,and a communication interface 280.

Bus 210 includes a path that permits communication among the componentsof device 200. Processing unit 220 may include one or more processors ormicroprocessors, or processing logic, which may interpret and executeinstructions. Main memory 230 may include a random access memory (RAM)or another type of dynamic storage device that may store information andinstructions for execution by processing unit 220. ROM 240 may include aROM device or another type of static storage device that stores staticinformation and instructions for use by processing unit 220. Storagedevice 250 may include a magnetic and/or optical recording medium. Mainmemory 230, ROM 240 and storage device 250 may be a “tangible and/ornon-transitory computer-readable medium.”

Input device 260 may include one or more devices that permit a user toinput information to device 200, such as, for example, a keypad or akeyboard, a display with a touch sensitive panel, voice recognitionand/or biometric mechanisms, etc. Output device 270 may include one ormore devices that output information to the user, including a display(e.g., with a touch sensitive panel), a speaker, etc. Input device 260and output device 270 may be implemented as a graphical user interface(GUI) (e.g., a touch screen GUI that uses any type of touch screendevice) that displays GUI information and which receives user input viathe GUI. Communication interface 280 may include one or moretransceivers that enable device 200 to communicate with other devicesand/or systems. For example, in the case where device 200 is managementsystem 105, communication interface 280 may include one or more wiredand/or wireless transceivers for communicating via content network(s)115, mobile network 120, broadcast network 125 and/or wired network 130.In the case where device 200 is router 140, communication interface 280may include a communication interface(s) for establishing a wired LANthat permits communication with antenna 145, STB 155, and computer 160,and a second communication interface(s) for establishing a wireless LAN(e.g., Wi-Fi) that permits wireless communication with mobile devices150. In yet another case where device 200 is antenna 145, communicationinterface 280 may include a first transceiver that includes circuitryfor communicating with mobile network 120 or mobile devices 150 over amobile network channel(s), and a second transceiver that includescircuitry for receiving broadcast content via broadcast network 125.

The configuration of components of device 200 shown in FIG. 2 is forillustrative purposes. Other configurations may be implemented.Therefore, device 200 may include additional, fewer and/or differentcomponents, arranged in a different configuration, than depicted in FIG.2.

FIG. 3A depicts an antenna array 300 that includes an array of antennaelements 310. In one implementation, the array of antenna elements 310of array 300 may include multiple waveguide planar antennas that eachtransmit and receive within the mmWave spectrum, such as that to be usedin a 5G wireless system. In the example of FIG. 3A, the array of antennaelements 310 are arranged two-dimensionally within a square, with theantenna elements 310 configured in horizontal rows and vertical columns.The array of antenna elements 310 for a particular antenna may, however,be arranged in other two-dimensional configurations, or even in athree-dimensional configuration. Antenna array 300 may be a component ofhybrid mobile network/broadcast antenna 145.

FIG. 3B further depicts examples of beam forming to create antenna beampatterns in three dimensions in the vicinity of antenna array 300. Theexample of FIG. 3B depicts multiple antenna beam patterns 320 formedhorizontally and vertically by each antenna element 310 in array 300.Thus, as shown in FIG. 3B, each antenna element 310 may be configured togenerate a particular antenna beam pattern 320 that extends outwards ata particular angle relative to the vertical plane of the antenna array300 such that antenna array 300 covers a three dimensional space in thevicinity of array 300. As shown in FIG. 3B, each antenna element 310 maybe configured to generate a respective antenna beam pattern 320 at adifferent angle (i.e., different elevation, different azimuth) relativeto the position of each antenna's respective row and column within theantenna array 300.

FIGS. 4A and 4B depict an outdoor antenna system 400 that includes abroadcast antenna 410 and a mobile network antenna array 420. Broadcastantenna 410 may include, as shown, multiple conductive elements, where alength of each conductive element may correspond to a certain broadcastfrequency (e.g., VHF or UHF frequency). In one implementation, broadcastantenna 410 may include a broadcast TV antenna. Mobile network antennaarray 420 may include one or more arrays of antennas, such as multipleversions of the antenna array 300 depicted in FIGS. 3A and 3B. As shownin FIG. 4A, broadcast antenna 410 and mobile network antenna array 420may be formed as a unitary unit or may be attached together to form asingle unit, and further attach to a supporting pole 430 (or other typeof supporting structure). The supporting pole 430, in turn, attaches toa roof of a building (e.g., a house), or attaches directly to theground.

FIG. 4B depicts an exemplary configuration of antenna array 420 in whichsix antenna arrays 300 are arranged in a hexagonal structure with eachantenna array 300 being directed outwards from the center of thehexagonal structure. As depicted in FIGS. 4A and 4B, transceiverelectronics 440, for transmitting and receiving via the antenna elements310 of the antenna arrays 300, may be disposed on, or within, thehexagonal structure of antenna array 420. The transceiver electronics440 may include, for example, electronic circuitry associated withtransmission and receipt within 5G wireless systems. The configurationof antenna array 420 depicted in FIG. 4B permits directional receptionfrom mobile network 120 and/or user devices (e.g., mobile devices 150),and directional transmission to mobile network 120 and/or user devices(e.g., mobile devices 150). The exemplary antenna array 420 of FIGS. 4Aand 4B may be placed at particular locations such as, for example,network service subscriber locations 135 (e.g., home residences). Theconfiguration of antenna array 420 shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B is oneexample of an antenna system 400 that includes a broadcast antenna 410and an antenna array 420. Other configurations, including other physicalarrangements of antenna array 420 and other types of broadcast antennas,may be alternatively used for antenna system 400.

FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary indoor antenna system 500 that includesbroadcast antennas 510 and a mobile network antenna array 300. In oneimplementation, broadcast antennas 510 may include broadcast TVantennas. As shown, broadcast antennas 510 may include dipole antennas(e.g., for VHF) and loop antennas (e.g., for UHF). A single antennaarray 300 is depicted as being disposed within indoor antenna system500. However, multiple antenna arrays 300 may be disposed within indoorantenna system 500 to provide for directionality in transmission andreception. In the example depicted in FIG. 5, indoor antenna system 500includes a cabinet in which is disposed transceiver electronic circuitry520 for transmitting to, and receiving from, mobile network 120 viaantenna array 300. Transceiver electronics 520 may additionally,transmit to, and receive from, wireless user devices (e.g., mobiledevices 150) at the location 135 at which antenna system 500 resides.Indoor antenna system 500 may, thus, effectively serve as a homelocation “base station” for relaying transmissions to, and from, mobiledevices 150. Indoor antenna system 500 may connect, via, for example, awired connection (e.g., a LAN connection) to router 140 at location 135such that router 140 may route data transmissions to/from mobile network120 and/or mobile devices 150.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram that illustrates an exemplary process foroptimizing content transport patterns to and from network servicesubscriber location 135 via multiple different available transportnetworks, such as via mobile network 120, broadcast network 125 and/orwired network 130 of FIG. 1A. The exemplary process of FIG. 6 may beimplemented by management system 105, in conjunction with routing nodes170 and/or router 140.

The exemplary process includes management system 105 obtainingperformance parameters related to content transport over each of themultiple available networks (block 600). Management system 105 mayobtain network performance data from various different nodes within eachof content network(s) 115, mobile network 120, broadcast network 125,and/or wired network 130. Additionally, management system 105 may obtainnetwork performance data from router 140, including, for example, thereliability, quality, and bandwidth of the connection from wired network130 to router 140, and/or from mobile network 120 and broadcast network125 to hybrid mobile network/broadcast antenna 145 and router 140.Management system 105 may, thus, obtain network performance data (e.g.,overall network outages, network region outages, network bandwidthlimitations) or specific network link performance data, such as, forexample, the performance of specific connections between mobile network120 and mobile devices 150 and/or hybrid mobile network/broadcastantenna 145

Management system 105 determines current content transport demand viaeach of the available networks (block 605). Management system 105 mayobtain data regarding current transport demand from various differentnodes within each of content network(s) 115, mobile network 120,broadcast network 125, and/or wired network 130. The current transportdemand may include transport demand as related to the level of bandwidthutilization globally, or within particular regions of each of networks120, 125, and/or 130.

Management system 105 determines optimized content transport patternsbetween the available networks based on the obtained network performanceparameters and/or current content transport demand (block 610). Forexample, management system 105 may take into account current bandwidthconstraints and/or current transport demand within each of networks 120,125, and 130 to determine optimized content transport patterns acrossnetworks 120, 125 and 130. Various different transport patternoptimization algorithms may be used for optimizing content transportacross the networks 120, 125, and 130 to destination user devices. Thevarious different optimization algorithms may use various differentmeasures of network performance and/or different measures related totransport demand. One example of a transport pattern optimizationalgorithm may attempt to balance bandwidth usage of the contenttransport among networks 120, 125 and 130. Another example of atransport pattern optimization algorithm may attempt to minimize contenttransport costs when transporting content among networks 120, 125 and130. For example, content transport via mobile network 120 may beconsidered the most costly alternative, so the transport optimizationalgorithm may direct content transport via broadcast network 125 and/orwired network 130 when such networks have sufficient bandwidthavailable.

Management system 105 instructs routing nodes 170 and/or routers 140 torequest, and/or transport, content according to the determined optimizedcontent transport pattern(s) (block 615). For each router 140 androuting node 170, management system 105 may generate a message thatincludes instructions related to the optimized content transport fromcontent sources 110, via networks 120, 125, and 130, to router 140and/or mobile devices 150. As an example, management system 105 mayinstruct router 140 to request live TV content based on rules thatestablish a precedence: 1) via broadcast network 125 if available, 2)via wired network 130 if available, or 3) via mobile network 120 andantenna 145 if available. As another example, management system 105 mayinstruct router 140 to currently request all live TV content via wirednetwork 130, if available, otherwise, via mobile network 120.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are flow diagrams that illustrate an exemplary processfor selecting a content transport network, among multiple contenttransport networks, and for causing live content (e.g., live TV RFbroadcasts, or live wired or wireless streaming) to be accessed via aselected content transport network for forwarding, by router 140, to adestination user device (e.g., mobile device 150, STB 155, computer160). The exemplary process of FIGS. 7A and 7B may be implemented byrouter 140. “Live content,” as referred to herein, includes content thatis in the process of being broadcasted (e.g., over broadcast network125) for receipt at multiple user devices (e.g., TV content currentlybeing broadcasted via a TV network), or includes content that is beingstreamed in a multicast fashion and which any user device may elect toreceive as an on-going content stream.

The exemplary process includes router 140 receiving a channel request,for live content, from a particular user device connected to the router140 (block 700). A user device connected to router 140, such as a mobiledevice 150, STB 155, or a computer 160, may send a channel request forreceiving a live TV VHF/UHF broadcast or live streaming content. In thecase of a live TV VHF/UHF broadcast, the channel request may identifythe particular UHF or VHF channel over which the particular content isbeing broadcast. In the case of live streaming content, the channelrequest may include, for example, a Uniform Resource Locator (URL)associated with a network device (e.g., a server) from which the contentmay be streamed using a streaming media protocol. Router 140 may receivethe channel request via a wireless LAN connection from a mobile device150, via a wired connection from STB 155, or via a wired connection fromcomputer 160.

Router 140 determines available networks of mobile network 120,broadcast network 125 and/or wired network 130, with connections torouter 140 (block 705). If hybrid mobile network/broadcast antenna 145is connected to router 140, then mobile network 120 and broadcastnetwork 125 may be available to router 140. Additionally, if opticalfiber network has a connection to router 140, then wired network 130 maybe available to router 140. Availability of a particular one of networks120, 125, and 130 may also be based on whether service of each of thenetworks is currently available (i.e., no network outages), or based onthe current available bandwidth of the connection between each of thenetworks 120, 125 and 130 and router 140. For example, if congestionexists on the wireless interface between mobile network 120 and router140 (via antenna 145), then mobile network 120 may be considered ascurrently unavailable until the congestion is alleviated. As anotherexample, if a network outage exists on wired network 130, then wirednetwork 130 may be considered as currently unavailable until the networkoutage is resolved.

Router 140 determines the availability of the requested channel in thenetworks determined to be available to the router 140 (block 710).Certain content channels may only be available over certain of networks120, 125 and/or 130. For example, the History Channel may only beavailable via wired network 130 or mobile network 120, and may not beavailable via broadcast network 125. As another example, a boxingsporting event streamed via a live content streaming channel may only beavailable via mobile network 120 and/or wired network 130. As a furtherexample, a broadcast TV channel (e.g., CBS) may only be available viabroadcast network 125 and/or wired network 130.

Router 140 selects one of the available networks that have availabilityof the requested channel (block 715). Router 140 selects a network basedon the available networks determined in block 705, and the availabilityof the requested channel in the available networks determined in block710. If the requested channel is available via more than one availablenetwork, then router 140 may apply a selection algorithm to determinewith network to select. The selection algorithm may take into accountcurrent network performance parameters (e.g., bandwidth of eachnetwork's connection to router 140), or other factors. Router 140 mayadditionally receive a message from management system 105 that instructsrouter 140 to request content according to an optimized transportpattern determined by management system 105 (e.g., in block 615 of FIG.6). In one implementation, the instructions from management system 105may explicitly identify which network to currently use for certain typesof content. In this implementation, the instructions from managementsystem 105 take priority over any network selection performed by router140 in block 715. In another implementation, the instructions frommanagement system 105 may include a set of rules that router 140 shouldapply for determining which of networks 120, 125 or 130 to select fortransport of the requested channel. The set of rules may take precedenceover any network selection performed by router 140 in block 715, or maybe used in conjunction with any network selected performed by router 140in block 715.

Router 140 switches to channel access via the requested channel over theselected one of the available networks (block 720). If the requestedchannel is to be accessed via broadcast network 125, for example, router140 causes hybrid mobile network/broadcast antenna 145 to tune to theappropriate UHF or VHF channel to receive the live broadcast TV content.Antenna 145, including its associated transceiver circuitry, convertsthe broadcast TV content into digital content that can be sent to router140 for forwarding to the particular user device that requested the livebroadcast TV content. If the requested channel is to be accessed viamobile network 120, for example, router 140 causes hybrid mobilenetwork/broadcast antenna 145 to “listen” to the appropriate wirelessmobile network channels transmitted from mobile network 120 to receivethe content from the requested channel. Router 140 may, prior to“listening” to mobile network 120, send a content request to contentsource 110 and/or management system 105 to request the content betransported via mobile network 120 to the requesting user device.

Router 140 forwards content received via the requested channel to theparticular user device over an appropriate connection at router 140(block 725). If a mobile device 150 has requested the content, thenrouter 140 may forward the content to mobile device 150 via a wirelessLAN connection (e.g., Wi-Fi connection). If STB 155 has requested thecontent, then router 140 may forward the content to STB 155 via, forexample, a wired LAN connection between router 140 and STB 155. Ifcomputer 160 has requested the content, then router 140 may forward thecontent to computer 160 via, for example, another wired LAN connectionbetween router 140 and computer 160.

Router 140 determines if a connection to the selected network has beenlost (block 730). For example, if the selected network is mobile network120, then the connection between mobile network 120 and router 140 maybe lost (e.g., due to inadequate signal strength), or may be dropped. Asanother example, if the selected network is broadcast network 125, theninsufficient signal strength, or signal interference, may result in aloss of broadcast signal (e.g., broadcast TV signal), representing aloss of connection. As a further example, if the selected network iswired network 130, then a network outage at wired network 130 may resultin a loss of connection with router 140. If the connection to theselected network has been lost (YES—block 730), then router 140 selectsan alternate content transport network from the remaining availablenetworks (block 735), and switches to channel access via the requestedchannel over the alternate content transport network (block 740). Forexample, if the selected network was broadcast network 125, and theconnection to antenna 145 and router 140 was lost, then router 140 mayselect an alternate network from either mobile network 120 or wirednetwork 130. In an implementation in which wired network 130 is notconnected to router 140, then router 140 may select mobile network 120for continuing the transport of the content to the requesting userdevice.

If the connection to the selected network has not been lost (NO—block730), then router 140 determines if the content is being delivered via aWi-Fi connection at router 140 (block 745). The content requesting userdevice may be mobile device 150, and mobile device 150 may have beenreceiving the content via a wireless LAN connection (e.g., Wi-Ficonnection) from router 140 to mobile device 150. For example, therequested content may be transported via broadcast network 125 toantenna 145 and router 140, and then forwarded from router 140 to mobiledevice 150 via the Wi-Fi connection between router 140 and mobile device150. As another example, the requested content may be transported viamobile network 120 to antenna 145 and router 140, and then forwardedfrom router 140 to mobile device 150 via the Wi-Fi connection betweenrouter 140 and mobile device 150. If the content is not being deliveredfrom router 140 via a Wi-Fi connection (NO—block 745), then theexemplary process may return to block 725 with the continued forwardingof content via the requested channel to the particular user device.

If content is being delivered via a Wi-Fi connection at router 140(YES—block 745), then router 140 determines if the Wi-Fi connection hasbeen lost (block 750). The wireless LAN connection to the user devicemay be lost due to, for example, signal strength issues (e.g., mobiledevice 150 is moved too far from router 140), failure of the wirelessLAN transceiver at mobile device 150, etc. In a first implementation, ifthe Wi-Fi connection has been lost to the user device at router 140(left-side “YES”—block 750), then router 140 notifies management system105 to switch content transport through mobile network 120 (block 755).Referring to FIG. 1C, upon receipt of the notification from router 140,management system 105 may instruct routing node 170-1 and routing node170-2 to switch the content transport from content network(s) 115 tomobile network 120, and directly to the mobile device 150. In a secondimplementation, if the Wi-Fi connection has been lost to the user deviceat router 140 (right-side “YES”—block 750), then router 140 switchesdelivery of the content to the user device (e.g., mobile device 150) viahybrid mobile network/broadcast antenna 145 (block 760).

Referring to FIG. 8, in this implementation, router 140 receives thecontent via the selected network, and then forwards the content tomobile device 150 via hybrid mobile network/broadcast antenna 145 and awireless connection to mobile device 150. If, as shown in FIG. 8, theselected network is wired network 130, then the content is received(shown with a “1” within a circle) at router 140 from wired network 130,and then forwarded (shown with a “4” within a circle) from router 140 tomobile device 150 via antenna 145 and a mobile network wirelessconnection. Additionally, if, as further shown in FIG. 8, the selectednetwork is broadcast network 125, then the content is received (shownwith a “2” within a circle) at router 140 from network 125, and thenforwarded (shown with a “4” within a circle) from router 140 to mobiledevice 150 via antenna 145 and a mobile network wireless connection.Furthermore, if, as also shown in FIG. 8, the selected network is mobilenetwork 120, then the content is received (shown with a “3” within acircle) at router 140 from network 120, and then forwarded (shown with a“4” within a circle) from router 140 to mobile device 150 via antenna145 and a mobile network wireless connection.

If the Wi-Fi connection to the user device at router 140 has not beenlost and communication between router 140 and the user device via theWi-Fi connection continues (NO—block 750), then the exemplary processreturns to block 725 (FIG. 7A) with the continued forwarding of contentvia the requested channel to the particular user device over the Wi-Ficonnection.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are flow diagrams that illustrate an exemplary processfor selecting a content transport network, among multiple contenttransport networks, and for causing, by router 140, on-demand content tobe switched to the selected content transport network for transportationand for forwarding, by router 140, to a destination user device. Theexemplary process of FIGS. 9A and 9B may be implemented by router 140.

The exemplary process includes router 140 receiving an on-demand contentrequest from a particular user device connected to router 140 (block900). Content sources 110 may store content for on-demand access by userdevices. A user device connected to router 140, such as a mobile device150, STB 155, or a computer 160, may send a content request forreceiving on-demand content from a content source 110. The contentrequest may identify a particular URL associated with where theon-demand content is stored at content source 110. Router 140 mayreceive the content request via a wireless LAN connection from a mobiledevice 150, via a wired connection from STB 155, or via a wiredconnection from computer 160.

Router 140 selects mobile network 120, broadcast network 125, or wirednetwork 130 as the content transport network based on the requestedcontent and network availability (block 905). The nature of therequested content itself may be a factor in which content transportnetwork router 140 selects. For example, if the content includes highdefinition video, router 140 may select the network having the highestavailable bandwidth, or the least cost bandwidth. In the case of contentbeing high definition video, then router 140 may select wired network130, instead of mobile network 120, since data usage over mobile network120 may be more expensive than content delivery over wired network 130.

Network availability, at router, may be based on what networkconnections router 140 has, and/or based on network performanceparameters associated with each connected network. If hybrid mobilenetwork/broadcast antenna 145 is connected to router 140, then mobilenetwork 120 and broadcast network 125 may be available to router 140.Additionally, if wired network 130 has a connection to router 140, thenwired network 130 may be available to router 140. Availability of aparticular one of the connected networks 120, 125, and 130 may be basedon whether service of each of the networks is currently available (i.e.,no network outages), or based on the current available bandwidth of theconnection between each of the networks 120, 125 and 130 and router 140.For example, if congestion exists on the wireless interface betweenmobile network 120 and router 140 (via antenna 145), then mobile network120 may be considered as currently unavailable until the congestion isalleviated. As another example, if a network outage exists in wirednetwork 130, then wired network 130 may be considered as currentlyunavailable until the network outage is resolved.

Router 140 may apply a selection algorithm to determine which network toselect. The selection algorithm may take into account current networkperformance parameters (e.g., bandwidth of each network's connection torouter 140), or other factors. Router 140 may additionally receive amessage from management system 105 that instructs router 140 to requestcontent according to an optimized transport pattern determined bymanagement system 105 (e.g., in block 615 of FIG. 6). In oneimplementation, the instructions from management system 105 mayexplicitly identify which network to currently use for certain types ofcontent. In this implementation, the instructions from management system105 take precedence over any network selection algorithm performed byrouter 140. In another implementation, the instructions from managementsystem 105 may include a set of rules that router 140 should apply fordetermining which of networks 120, 125 or 130 to select for transport ofthe requested content. The set of rules may take precedence over anynetwork selection algorithm performed by router 140, or may be used inconjunction with any network selected algorithm performed by router 140.

Router 140 sends a content request to the content source 110, or to themanagement system 105, with an indication of the selected contenttransport network (block 910). Router 140 may essentially forward thecontent request from the user device to the content source 110 and/or tomanagement system 105, with the addition of an identification of thenetwork 120, 125, or 130 over which the content should be transported.If router 140 sends the content request to management system 105,management system 105 may receive the content request, instructappropriate routing nodes 170 regarding routing content to therequesting user device from the content source, and forward the contentrequest on to the content source 110. Upon receipt of the contentrequest, content source 110 may retrieve the content using the URL andmay, for example, stream the content to the requesting user device usinga streaming media protocol.

Router 140 receives the requested content via the selected contenttransport network (block 915). Referring to FIG. 1C, respective routingnodes 170 route the content from the content source to the router 140via the selected one of networks 120, 125 and/or 130. Router 140forwards the requested content to the particular user device via anappropriate connection at the router 140 (block 920). Upon receipt ofthe content from the content source 110 via the selected one of networks120, 125 and/or 130, router 140 forwards the content over the wired orwireless connection from router 140 to the particular user device. Forexample, if mobile device 150 has requested the content, router 140forwards the content over the wireless LAN (e.g., Wi-Fi) connectionbetween router 140 and mobile device 150. As another example, if STB 155has requested the content, router 140 forwards the content over thewired connection between router 140 and STB 155. As a further example,if computer 160 has requested the content, router 140 forwards thecontent over the wired LAN connection between router 140 and STB 155.

Router 140 determines if the connection to the selected network has beenlost (block 925). For example, if the selected network is mobile network120, then the connection between mobile network 120 and router 140 maybe lost (e.g., due to inadequate mobile network signal strength), or maybe dropped. As another example, if the selected network is broadcastnetwork 125, then insufficient signal strength, or signal interference,may result in a loss of broadcast signal (e.g., broadcast TV signal),representing a loss of connection. As a further example, is the selectednetwork is wired network 130, then a network outage at optical fibernetwork 130 may result in a loss of connection with router 140.

If the router connection to the selected network has been lost(YES—block 925), then router 140 selects an alternate content transportnetwork from the remaining available networks (block 930), and router140 notifies management system 105 to switch the content transport ofthe selected content via the alternate network (block 935). For example,if the selected network was broadcast network 125, and the connection toantenna 145 and router 140 was lost, then router 140 may select analternate network from either mobile network 120 or wired network 130.In an implementation in which wired network 130 is not connected torouter 140, then router 140 may select mobile network 120 for continuingthe transport of the content to the requesting user device. Upon receiptof the notification from router 140, management system 105 may instructthe content source 110 and appropriate routing nodes 170 to re-route thecontent via the selected alternate network. The exemplary process thenreturns to block 915 with the continued receipt of the requested contentat router 140.

If the router connection to the selected network has not been lost(NO—block 925), then router 140 determines if the content is beingdelivered to the user device via a Wi-Fi connection at router 140 (block940). The content requesting user device may be, for example, mobiledevice 150, and mobile device 150 may have been receiving the contentvia a wireless LAN connection (e.g., Wi-Fi connection) from router 140to mobile device 150. For example, the requested content may betransported via broadcast network 125 to antenna 145 and router 140, andthen forwarded from router 140 to mobile device 150 via the Wi-Ficonnection between router 140 and mobile device 150. As another example,the requested content may be transported via mobile network 120 toantenna 145 and router 140, and then forwarded from router 140 to mobiledevice 150 via the Wi-Fi connection between router 140 and mobile device150.

If the content is not being delivered to the user device via a Wi-Ficonnection at router 140 (NO—block 940), then the exemplary processreturns to block 915 with the continued receipt of the requested contentat router 140. In a first implementation, if the content is beingdelivered to the user device via a Wi-Fi connection at router 140 andthe Wi-Fi connection has been lost (left-side “YES”—block 945), thenrouter 140 notifies management system 105 to switch content transportthrough mobile network 120 (block 950). Referring to FIG. 1C, uponreceipt of the notification from router 140, management system 105 mayinstruct routing node 170-1 and routing node 170-2 to switch the contenttransport from content network(s) 115 to mobile network 120, anddirectly to the mobile device 150.

In a second implementation, if the content is being delivered to theuser via a Wi-Fi connection and the Wi-Fi connection has been lost(right-side “YES”—block 945), then router 140 switches delivery of thecontent to the user device (e.g., mobile device 150) via hybrid mobilenetwork/broadcast antenna 145 (block 955). Referring to FIG. 8, in thisimplementation, router 140 receives the content via the selectednetwork, and then forwards the content to mobile device 150 via hybridmobile network/broadcast antenna 145 and a mobile network wirelessconnection (e.g., 5G wireless connection) to mobile device 150. If, asshown in FIG. 8, the selected network is wired network 130, then thecontent is received (shown with a “1” within a circle) at router 140from wired network 130, and then forwarded (shown with a “4” within acircle) from router 140 to mobile device 150 via antenna 145 and amobile network wireless connection. Additionally, if, as further shownin FIG. 8, the selected network is broadcast network 125, then thecontent is received (shown with a “2” within a circle) at router 140from network 125, and then forwarded (shown with a “4” within a circle)from router 140 to mobile device 150 via antenna 145 and a mobilenetwork wireless connection. Furthermore, if, as also shown in FIG. 8,the selected network is mobile network 120, then the content is received(shown with a “3” within a circle) at router 140 from network 120, andthen forwarded (shown with a “4” within a circle) from router 140 tomobile device 150 via antenna 145 and a mobile network wirelessconnection. Subsequent to either of blocks 950 or 955, the exemplaryprocess returns to block 915 with the continued receipt of the requestedcontent at router 140.

The foregoing description of implementations provides illustration anddescription, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variationsare possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired frompractice of the invention. For example, while series of blocks have beendescribed with respect to FIGS. 6, 7A, 7B, 9A, and 9B, the order of theblocks may be varied in other implementations. Moreover, non-dependentblocks may be performed in parallel.

Certain features described above may be implemented as “logic” or a“unit” that performs one or more functions. This logic or unit mayinclude hardware, such as one or more processors, microprocessors,application specific integrated circuits, or field programmable gatearrays, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

No element, act, or instruction used in the description of the presentapplication should be construed as critical or essential to theinvention unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, thearticle “a” is intended to include one or more items. Further, thephrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on”unless explicitly stated otherwise.

To the extent the aforementioned embodiments collect, store or employpersonal information provided by individuals, it should be understoodthat such information shall be used in accordance with all applicablelaws concerning protection of personal information. Additionally, thecollection, storage and use of such information may be subject toconsent of the individual to such activity, for example, through wellknown “opt-in” or “opt-out” processes as may be appropriate for thesituation and the type of information. Storage and use of personalinformation may be in an appropriately secure manner reflective of thetype of information, for example, through various encryption andanonymization techniques for particularly sensitive information.

In the preceding specification, various preferred embodiments have beendescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will, however,be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto,and additional embodiments may be implemented, without departing fromthe broader scope of the invention as set forth in the claims thatfollow. The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded inan illustrative rather than restrictive sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: receiving, by a router at asubscriber location, a request for content from a user device connectedto the router at the subscriber location; receiving, by the router, aninstruction, from a management system not at the subscriber location, toselect a first network from a plurality of networks to which the routeris connected, wherein the plurality of networks comprise at least abroadcast television (TV) network and a mobile network, wherein therouter is connected to the broadcast TV network and the mobile networkvia a hybrid mobile network/broadcast TV antenna located at thesubscriber location, wherein the hybrid mobile network/broadcast TVantenna includes a mobile network antenna comprising one or more arraysof antenna elements coupled to a broadcast TV antenna, wherein thehybrid mobile network/broadcast TV antenna connects to the broadcast TVnetwork via the broadcast TV antenna, and wherein the hybrid mobilenetwork/broadcast TV antenna connects to the mobile network via themobile network antenna; selecting, by the router, the first network fromthe plurality of networks in accordance with the instruction; receiving,by the router, the requested content via the first network; andforwarding, from the router, the requested content to the user devicevia a wireless or wired connection between the router and the userdevice.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the selecting, by the router,is based on current network performance parameters associated with theplurality of networks.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the user deviceconnects to the router via a wireless local area network (LAN)connection and wherein the method further comprises: determining if thewireless LAN connection between the router and the user device has beenlost; and notifying, if the wireless LAN connection has been lost, themanagement system to switch the requested content through the mobilenetwork directly to the user device.
 4. The method of claim 1, whereinthe user device connects to the router via a wireless local area network(LAN) connection, and wherein the method further comprises: determiningif the wireless LAN connection between the router and the user devicehas been lost; and switching, if the wireless LAN connection has beenlost, delivery of the requested content from the router to the userdevice via the hybrid mobile network/broadcast TV antenna.
 5. The methodof claim 1, wherein the user device connects to the router at thesubscriber location via either a wireless local area network (LAN)connection or a wired LAN connection.
 6. The method of claim 1, whereinthe requested content comprises live content and wherein the methodfurther comprises: determining the plurality of networks as networkshaving network connections to the router and currently being availableto the router for content transport; and determining which of theplurality of networks has availability of a channel associated with therequested content, wherein the selecting, by the router, the firstnetwork from the plurality of networks is based on the determination ofwhich of the plurality of networks has the availability of the channel.7. The method of claim 1, wherein the requested content compriseson-demand content and wherein the method further comprises: determiningthe plurality of networks as networks having network connections to therouter and currently being available to the router for contenttransport, wherein the selecting, by the router, the first network fromthe plurality of networks is based on the determination of which of theplurality of networks as currently being available for the contenttransport.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of networksfurther comprises a wired broadband network.
 9. The method of claim 8,wherein the wired broadband network comprises an optical fiber networkassociated with a network service provider that provides afiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) telecommunications service to thesubscriber location.
 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:receiving, by the router, a message from the management system thatincludes instructions for the router to request transport of the contentaccording to optimized content transport patterns determined by themanagement system.
 11. A system, comprising: a hybrid mobilenetwork/broadcast television (TV) antenna for receiving content via abroadcast TV network and for receiving content via a mobile network,wherein the hybrid mobile network/broadcast TV antenna is located at asubscriber location, wherein the hybrid mobile network/broadcast TVantenna includes a mobile network antenna comprising one or more arraysof antenna elements coupled to a broadcast TV antenna, wherein thehybrid mobile network/broadcast TV antenna connects to the broadcast TVnetwork via the broadcast TV antenna, and wherein the hybrid mobilenetwork/broadcast TV antenna connects to the mobile network via themobile network antenna; and a routing device at the subscriber locationand connected to the broadcast TV network and the mobile network via thehybrid mobile network/broadcast TV antenna at the subscriber location,the routing device comprising: a first communication interfaceconfigured to connect to the hybrid mobile network/broadcast TV antenna,a second communication interface configured to connect to at least oneuser device and to receive a request for content from the at least oneuser device, and a processing unit configured to: receive aninstruction, from a management system not at the subscriber location, toselect a first network from a plurality of networks to which the routingdevice is connected, wherein the plurality of networks includes thebroadcast TV network and the mobile network, and wherein the selectedfirst network comprises either the broadcast TV network or the mobilenetwork, and select the first network from the plurality of networks inaccordance with the instruction, wherein the first communicationinterface is further configured to receive the requested content via theselected first network, and wherein the processing unit is furtherconfigured to forward the requested content to the at least one userdevice via the second communication interface.
 12. The system of claim11, wherein the second communication interface comprises a wirelessinterface that implements a wireless local area network (LAN).
 13. Thesystem of claim 12, wherein the at least one user device connects to therouting device via the wireless LAN, and wherein the processing unit isfurther configured to: determine if a wireless LAN connection betweenthe routing device and the at least one user device has been lost; andnotify, if the wireless LAN connection has been lost, the managementsystem to switch the requested content through the mobile networkdirectly to the at least one user device.
 14. The system of claim 12,wherein the at least one user device connects to the routing device viathe wireless LAN, and wherein the processing unit is further configuredto: determine if a wireless LAN connection between the routing deviceand the at least one user device has been lost; and switch, if thewireless LAN connection has been lost, delivery of the requested contentfrom the routing device to the at least one user device via the hybridmobile network/broadcast TV antenna.
 15. The system of claim 11, whereinthe requested content comprises live content, and wherein the processingunit is further configured to: determine the plurality of differentnetworks as networks having network connections to the routing deviceand currently being available to the routing device for contenttransport; and determine which of the plurality of different networkshas availability of a channel associated with the requested content. 16.The system of claim 11, wherein the requested content compriseson-demand content, and wherein the processing unit is further configuredto: determine the plurality of networks as networks having networkconnections to the routing device and currently being available to therouting device for content transport.
 17. A non-transitory storagemedium storing instructions executable by a routing device at asubscriber location, wherein the instructions comprise instructions tocause the routing device to: receive a request for content from a userdevice connected to the routing device, receive a message, from amanagement system not at the subscriber location, that includesinstructions for the routing device to request transport of the contentaccording to optimized content transport patterns determined by themanagement system, select a first network from a plurality of networksto which the routing device is connected based on the instructions,wherein the plurality of networks comprises at least a broadcasttelevision (TV) network and a mobile network, wherein the routing deviceis connected to the broadcast TV network and the mobile network via ahybrid mobile network/broadcast TV antenna, wherein the hybrid mobilenetwork/broadcast TV antenna includes a mobile network antennacomprising one or more arrays of antenna elements coupled to a broadcastTV antenna, wherein the hybrid mobile network/broadcast TV antennaconnects to the broadcast TV network via the broadcast TV antenna, andwherein the hybrid mobile network/broadcast TV antenna connects to themobile network via the mobile network antenna, send, to the managementsystem, a content request for the requested content and an indicationthat the requested content is to be transported via the first network,receive the requested content via the first network, and forward therequested content to the user device via a wireless or wired connectionbetween the routing device and the user device.
 18. The non-transitorystorage medium of claim 17, wherein the plurality of networks comprisesthe broadcast TV network, the mobile network, and a wired broadbandnetwork, and wherein the selected first network comprises one of thebroadcast TV network, the mobile network, or the wired broadbandnetwork.
 19. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 18, wherein thewired broadband network comprises an optical fiber network associatedwith a network service provider that provides a fiber-to-the-premises(FTTP) telecommunications service.
 20. The non-transitory storage mediumof claim 17, wherein the requested content comprises live content oron-demand content, and wherein the instructions further compriseinstructions to cause the routing device to: determine the plurality ofnetworks as networks having network connections to the routing deviceand currently being available to the routing device for contenttransport; and determine, if the requested content is live content,which of the plurality of networks has availability of a channelassociated with the requested content, wherein the selecting the firstnetwork from the plurality of networks is based on the determination ofwhich of the plurality of networks has the availability of the channel,or based on which of the plurality of networks as currently beingavailable for the content transport.